acting – Page 2 – Silverbacks Improv Theatre

Improv 1 with Aren and Renee

Improv Comedy Classes starting October 4 with Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

Quick Details:
Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teachers: Aren Chaisson & Renee Barry)
Dates: Tuesdays – October 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, Nov 8
Time: 6-8pm CST
Where: Cité des Arts
Ages: 16+
Cost: $120 – scholarships available
Register online here:
https://checkout.square.site/buy/VR4MXJQOSZQZQH5TJMSZIZGA

Students may also message the Silverbacks Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SilverbacksImprov, or email with questions at silverbacksimprov@gmail.com.

Since 2015, Silverbacks Improv Theatre has offered Improv classes in Lafayette. As a result, the improv scene has blossomed and continues to grow. A new round of classes is starting on October 4 with Improv 1. This six week course is designed for the complete novice to improv and/or performing arts. Teachers focus on creating a friendly environment for even the most demure wall flower to be able to participate. Improv is excellent for growing skills in communication, team work, and public speaking. Students will be eligible to progress to Improv 2 and 3 following this course, should they choose to continue studying.

Silverbacks believe that the price should not be a barrier for the study of improv, and will not turn away any students for lack of a traditional fee. Payment plans, scholarships, and barters are all available.

Teacher Bios:
Renee Barry is thrilled to be teaching with her pal Aren! Renee moved back home to Lafayette in 2020 after spending eight years in Chicago, IL performing improv and writing sketch comedy shows. In Chicago, Renee wrote and performed at The Second City in such productions as Thank You Five, Out Damn Spotlight, Ready Player: Won, and 1984-Play. Renee will be performing in CCT’s The Real Inspector Hound in November at Cité des Artes. Renee teaches improv and sketch writing to teens at CYT, and she teaches Talented Theatre in St. Martin Parish schools. Renee is so grateful to be a part of the Lafayette comedy community!

Aren Chaisson is an actor and improvisor with over 25 years experience on stage. He is from Lafayette, Louisiana and teaches Talented Theatre in Iberia Parish. Aren has performed in many productions, including John Proctor in The Crucible, Huey P. Long in The Kingfish, Dale Pittman in The North Plan, Harry “Jazzbo” Haywood in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Lenny in Of Mice and Men, Foreman in Twelve Angry Men, Cliff in Cabaret, Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and William Shakespeare in William and Judith. In 2018 he was in his first CCT production as Jud in Oklahoma! Most recently he was seen as Max Bialystock in The Producers. Since graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BFA in Performing Arts, he has performed in NYC, Chicago, Syracuse, Alabama, Indiana, on regional and national tours, and in short films and commercials. He studied improv with Armando Diaz at the Magnet Theatre in NYC and performs with Silverbacks Improv troupe.

Improv: Level 2 is Back!

Improv 2 – A Silverbacks Improv Class
Instructor: Elaine Kibodeaux
Dates: Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 2019
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: 16+
*Early Bird Special runs through September 19: $135*
**Regular Price from September 20-October 5: $160**
Where: Cite des Arts, 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, LA 70501

Online registration/payment is available at: https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre

Class size: 6 students minimum; 12 students maximum

Prerequisite: LEVEL ONE or previous stage or public speaking experience. Must be comfortable acting in a group and working with others in scene work.

Though the emphasis of the class is still on fun, LEVEL TWO includes some conceptual and technical information to help build your improvisational skills. LEVEL TWO introduces students to principles of teamwork, character building and other concepts that will help to build comfort in spontaneity.

Based on games learned in Level One, LEVEL TWO students get to enhance their performance skills through exploration of their own style of play.

Elaine Kibodeaux has been acting for 22 years and improvising for 18. She is a founding member and assistant artistic director of Silverbacks Improv Theatre, a Cult of the Stage Monkey (UL-Lafayette) Alumna (’01-’08), Co-Director of Your Spooky Friends (an Improvised Horror Troupe), and has studied and performed improv in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Elaine began teaching Improv Fundamentals for Beginners in 2010 and has since added Improv Acting Techniques for Dancers and Movement for the Actor to her instruction repertoire. She is a belly dancer with Habibi Hips and Bal Amira, celebrating 12 years at Oasis Bellydance Studio, where she leads “BellyFit” classes. She regularly uses her improv and acting experience to enhance her stage presence when dancing.

Silverbacks and Lafayette Comedy present KIDS IN THE HALL’S KEVIN MCDONALD for Workshops this August

DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE –

Silverbacks Improv Theatre and Lafayette Comedy announce the following workshops:

Sketch Comedy Writing Workshop by Kevin McDonald – This workshop with Kevin McDonald is a writers workshop. Participants will arrive with a comedy sketch they have written, which will be workshopped by Mr. McDonald and the group, with active time for re-writes. Mr. McDonald will also follow up with the participants following the workshop with additional feedback on their sketch after a 2nd re-write!

Saturday, August 3
10am – 5:30pm
Venue TBA
Cost: $180, or $275 if signing up for both Workshops
Registration available at lafayettecomedy.com

Acting in Sketch Comedy by Kevin McDonald – This workshop will feature analysis of great sketch comedy acting, theatre games, and an afternoon of being directed in sketches by Mr. McDonald.

Saturday, August 4
10am – 5:30 pm
Venue TBA
Cost: $180, or $275 if signing up for both Workshops
Registration available at lafayettecomedy.com

Improv: Level 3 with Sarah!

In Level Three, improvisers use scene work to develop specific skills, such as ensemble, character, acting, and other advanced improv skills.

The knowledge and practice from Levels One and Two provide students the opportunity to work on these new and deeper concepts and gives the instructor the chance to provide detailed feedback.

LEVEL THREE culminates with a performer showcase (on Feb 9 at 11am) where family, friends and the public are invited.

Prerequisite: LEVEL TWO. Must be comfortable acting in a group and working with others in scene work.

Schedule: 5 sessions (once a week for 5 weeks)
Saturdays | January 12 – February 9 | 10am-12pm
Class length: 2 hours (10 hours total)
Where: Cité des Arts (Dance Studio) 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Class size: 6 students minimum; 10 students maximum

Tuition: $100

About the Instructor: Sarah Mikayla Brown has followed her obsessions with theatre and improv into the wacky life of a Talented Theatre teacher and performer. She is an ensemble member of Acting Up (in Acadiana) and artistic director of Silverbacks Improv Theatre. Brown is mildly “Cajun Famous” for her work with fellow theatre artist Lian Cheramie on projects such as “Cajun Face.” She is a graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the improvisation program at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago.

Pre-register at https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre, or contact us with any questions through our Silverbacks Improv Theatre Facebook Page.

Silverbacks’ 7th Annual Improvised Holiday Celebration!

On Friday, December 14th, at Club 337 (in DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette), Silverbacks Improv Theatre will present their traditional “Holiday Show.” Each December, Silverbacks interpret their signature improvisations through the lens of a Holiday – a brand new, completely made up Holiday, that is! With the audience’s help, Silverbacks will create their very own annual celebration – think “Festivus for the Rest of Us” from Seinfeld.

For this show, each of the performers will be wearing a Holiday Sweater and invite the audience to do the same. ANY Holiday themed items are welcome – the audience is invited to wear their finest Christmas, Easter, Mardi Gras, or even Groundhog Day sweaters to add to the fun. Previously invented holidays were “Paper-Clip Appreciation Day” (2012), “Garden Gnome Day” (2013), “Leonardo DaVinci’s Mother’s Birthday” (2014), “Picasso-Palooza” (2015), “St. Lampshades Day” (2016), and “Structural Support Day” (2017). Now we need our audience to help us create a brand New Holiday and its many wonderful traditions.

Tickets are $10* at the door!
*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount)

A SuperCollision is scheduled for November 9th!

Join us on Friday, November 9th at 7:30pm at The Omni Center for SuperCollider: Acadiana’s Improv Showcase brought to you by Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

This month will feature The Weaning Process – Improv Troupe and Silverbacks Improv Theatre, with a special Mash-Up set between troupe performances!

Tickets are $10*

*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount)

Silverbacks Improv Presents: Lafayette Famous w/ Rob Kirkpatrick on Friday, October 26th!

Silverbacks Improv Theatre‘s “Lafayette Famous” features a mix of improvisation and storytelling. In this format, a local celebrity prepares 3 true stories from their life. The improvisers create scenes based on themes from the stories, bringing performers and audience alike on a humorous journ

ey. This month, we are excited to welcome Rob Kirkpatrick to the Lafayette Famous stage!

Rob Kirkpatrick isn’t originally from Lafayette, but he likes to say he got here as quickly as he could. He hosts Acadiana’s Morning News weekday mornings on NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL. It may surprise you that someone who reports news doesn’t take himself too seriously. Rob says it takes a sense of humor to handle everything that comes across his desk in the KPEL newsroom every day. Rob first started in radio while studying at UL-Lafayette. His first TV job was working alongside the KATC’s “BIG THREE” Marcelle Fontenot, Jim Hummel and Rob Perillo. In 2010, he took his show on the road and set out for roles in national newsrooms at FOX in Dallas and CNN in Atlanta. He grew up in Mandeville, and made the best decision of his life turning down LSU for the Mass Communication program at UL-Lafayette. Rob’s smile is infectious at the Townsquare Media Studios in Lafayette, where he has proven himself to be a force both on-air and behind the scenes when working for clients. Rob Kirkpatrick is married to Sarah and has two daughters.

Join us for Lafayette Famous at The Omni Center on Friday, October 26th at 7:30pm! Tickets are $10 at the door ($8 with ID for Students, Teachers, and Seniors!)

SuperCollider Improv Showcase – October 12, 2018

Join us on Friday, October 12th at 7:30pm at The Omni Center for SuperCollider: Acadiana’s Improv Showcase brought to you by Silverbacks Improv Theatre!

This October, our featured performance troupes are

The Leather Apron Theatre Co. (LATCo.) is a non-profit comedy theatre collective from Baton Rouge. LATCo. specializes in long form improv comedy and prides itself on constantly pushing the envelope and experimenting with forms, promising for a unique and personal experience for every audience. This Friday, LATCo will present CAROUSEL: a completely improvised ensemble show consisting of character interviews, monologues, and scenes based off of an audience’s suggestion.

Tempo Tantrums Musical Improv are Lafayette’s first and only improv team dedicated solely to the art of short form & long form musical improv, made up of a cast of musical improv enthusiasts from the Lafayette and Baton Rouge improv communities.

Your Spooky Friends are Lafayette’s all-new Improvised Horror Troupe, creating improvised horror shows in the style of classic serialized horror shows like The Outer Limits, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and the Twilight Zone.

Tickets are $10*
*($8 for Students, Teachers, and Seniors (60+). ID is required for discount)

Improv: Level One IS BACK!

DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE –

Local Improv Comedy Troupe, Silverbacks Improv Theatre, will begin another round of improv classes starting in September. Silverbacks began offering improv classes in the summer of 2015, and has had great success and fun with their students. Improv troupes Weaning Process and The Plural Noun even found their beginnings in Silverbacks improv classes.

The Silverbacks will begin by offering Improv 1. Students will then have the option to continue to Improv 2 or 3 if they choose.

IMPROV LEVEL ONE is an entry-level course to the joys and thrills of improvisation, or improv. Students will learn and practice the application of “group mind” and the all-important “yes, and” – and other improv concepts and vocabulary. Students will practice new skills, perform and play in a safe, low-stakes and friendly atmosphere.

LEVEL ONE is perfect for the super fan of comedy or improv who has yet to perform, the curious introvert wanting to try something new or someone looking to improve their public speaking or quick decision making skills. At the conclusion, you can move on to Level Two or continue to take LEVEL ONE again – as many times as you’d like. You’re sure to get something new out of it each time!

Level One students will also have the perk of free entry to all Silverbacks improv shows while they are taking classes

Still on the fence? Hear from a former student!

“Silverbacks Improv Theatre classes were a great experience. I felt like I was in a slump, and these classes lifted me up. I made friends, gained confidence, and had the opportunity to play. The teachers miraculously offer a relaxed yet rigorous environment where challenge is welcome, but never judgment.” -Leslie Tidwell

Improv 1 – A Silverbacks Improv Class (Teacher Aren Chaisson)
Dates: Saturdays, Sept 8 – Oct 6th, 2018
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Ages: 16+
Cost: $100
Where: The Omni Center, 227 Jefferson St, Lafayette, LA 70501

Online registration and payment is available at: https://squareup.com/store/silverbacks-improv-theatre

Or send a Private Message to the Silverbacks Improv Theatre Facebook page or by calling 337-205-2129

Aren Chaisson III is a Rosie Award winning actor from Lafayette, Louisiana. He is a Talented Theatre teacher in Iberia Parish. He studied improv with Armando Diaz at the Magnet Theatre in NYC. Before that, he was a founding member of Hubbub Improv Troupe in Lafayette. Aren graduated from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BFA in Performing Arts. He studied commercial acting with Sean Bradley at The Green Room in Chicago and worked with Bill Coelius to being his commercial acting class to Lafayette.

Silverbacks Improv to hold Open Audition for New Members

Silverbacks Improv Theatre will hold an audition to scout for potential new cast members on August 28 at 6pm at

the Omni Center – 227 Jefferson St, Lafayette, LA 70501. The improvisational comedy ensemble has been together since April 2012. This is the only the second time the popular ensemble has held an audition. Ensemble member Sarah Mikayla Brown had this to say regarding the audition: “We receive frequent inquiries about auditions – I hope to get the word out about this rare audition to anyone who would be interested!”

The Silverbacks are seeking experienced and/or trained improvisers to join the ensemble, though inexperienced improvisers are certainly welcome to attend the audition as well. The group rehearses twice a month on Wednesdays, with shows at least twice a month. Interested auditionees are urged to consider the commitment involved with being a member of Silverbacks. “We are seeking members who will make Silverbacks their artistic home in Improv,” notes Steve Benelli, Artistic Director of Silverbacks Improv.

Requirements to audition: 18+ only. Headshots and resumes are welcome, but not required. Please dress for movement. The audition will consist of improvisational games and exercises. Please be prepared to stay for the duration, 6-8pm.